Dermatol Online J 2017 May 15;23(5). Epub 2017 May 15.

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California.

Despite characteristic features, psoriasis can mimic other dermatologic conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus, and certain nutritional deficiencies such as pellagra. We present a patient with a longstanding history of severe plaque psoriasis who presented with disfiguring scaly plaques involving greater than 80% body surface area. The patient's disease was minimally responsive to multiple therapies. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2017 May - Jun;35(3):267-272. Epub 2017 Jan 21.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Dissociation and conversion (defined as the somatic component of dissociation) can play an important mediating role in the exacerbation of the stress-reactive dermatoses (eg, psoriasis, idiopathic urticaria, atopic dermatitis), dermatoses that are exacerbated by excessive scratching (eg, lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis) and koebnerization, and the self-induced dermatoses (dermatitis artefacta, acne excoriée, skin picking disorder, trichotillomania, onychotillomania/onychophagia). Dissociative symptoms often coexist with obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the more severe cases of the self-induced dermatoses. Dissociation can play an important role in cutaneous sensory disorder (eg, scalp dysesthesia syndrome, stomatodynia/glossodynia, vulvodynia/scrotodynia, medically unexplained anesthesia). Read More

Int J Womens Dermatol 2017 Mar 27;3(1):58-64. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.

Vulvar dermatoses are common, potentially debilitating conditions that can be seen by a variety of medical specialists. Lichenoid vulvar diseases, namely lichen sclerosus (LS), lichen planus (LP), and lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), can all negatively impact patients' quality of life and LS and LP also have an association with squamous cell carcinoma. It is essential that dermatologists are familiar with the unique features of each of these conditions to ensure the appropriate management and follow up. Read More

Ophthalmologe 2017 Jun;114(6):498-503

Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Rosalind-Franklin-Str. 7, 24105, Kiel, Deutschland.

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases and is associated with an impaired quality of life due to tormenting itching and stigmatization. The disease almost always manifests in early childhood and exhibits specific features in this phase, with involvement of the extensor sides of the extremities. During the further course of disease, the typical flexor involvement becomes quite clear and a considerable proportion of patients develop the associated atopic respiratory diseases. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2017 Apr 24. Epub 2017 Apr 24.

*Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; †Laboratory of Cutaneous Aging Research, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; ‡Institute of Dermatological Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; §Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Botulinum neurotoxin (BTX) A possesses various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antipruritic actions. Human and animal studies have shown that BTX is effective in treating histamine-induced itch, lichen simplex chronicus, psoriasis, rosacea, allergic rhinitis, and scar prevention. However, its effect on atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been studied yet. Read More

Indian J Sex Transm Dis 2017 Jan-Jun;38(1):15-21

Department of Dermatology, Venereology, Leprosy, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India.

Background: According to the World Health Organization criteria, geriatric population is people above 60 years of age. In this phase of life, a woman has already gone through menopause and its associated emotional, physical, and hormonal changes. These changes are due to gradual loss of estrogen that comes with menopause which results in dramatic changes in the appearance of vulva and vagina. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2017 Apr 4. Epub 2017 Apr 4.

Sikl's Department of Pathology, Charles University in Prague, Medical Faculty in Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Background: The so-called acquired elastotic hemangioma (AEH) represents a peculiar vascular lesion affecting the sun-damaged skin of the extensor surface of the forearms or the lateral aspect of the neck of middle-aged or elderly women.

Methods: This is a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of a series of 6 lesions located on the knee or elbow showing epithelial features of lichen simplex chronicus (LSC)/prurigo nodularis (PN) with a marked subepidermal vascular proliferation closely resembling AEH.

Results: Microscopically, all cases of cutaneous lesions showed epithelial features of LSC/PN, that is compact hyperkeratosis with focal parakeratosis, irregular acanthosis, prominent hypergranulosis. Read More

Dermatitis 2017 Mar 23. Epub 2017 Mar 23.

From the Department of Dermatology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Background: Perianal complaints are often consulted in dermatology clinics, and in many cases, a conclusive diagnosis is not easily made.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study and identify the epidemiological, clinical, and contact allergy features of patients with perianal dermatitis who attended at a contact dermatitis unit in a tertiary hospital in Spain.

Methods: Adult patients with long-lasting (>4 weeks) perianal dermatitis were recruited during the past 10 years for investigation and follow-up. Read More

Mayo Clin Proc 2017 Mar;92(3):449-454

Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Mature women often present with symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy and vulvar dermatoses, causing noncoital pain, dyspareunia, and sexual changes. Diagnosis of these conditions can be challenging, and long-term management is required to decrease morbidity and enhance quality of life. Vaginal estrogen therapies remain safe and effective for treating symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017 Feb 24. Epub 2017 Feb 24.

Institute of Medical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing skin disease prevalent in 1% to 3% of adults in Western industrialized countries.

Objective: We sought to investigate the effectiveness of educational training in an outpatient setting on coping with the disease, quality of life, symptoms, and severity in adults with AD.

Methods: In this German prospective, randomized controlled multicenter study, adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD were educated by referring to a comprehensive 12-hour training manual consented by a multiprofessional study group from different centers (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Neurodermitisschulung für Erwachsene [ARNE]). Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017 Jun 6;31(6):925-941. Epub 2017 Feb 6.

Department of Sexual Health, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.

Vulval conditions may present to a variety of clinicians, such as dermatologists, gynaecologists and general practitioners. Women with these conditions are best managed by a multidisciplinary approach, which includes clear referral pathways between disciplines or access to a specialist multidisciplinary vulval service. Informed consent is a prerequisite for all examinations, investigations and treatments. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2017 May 2;108(4):354-360. Epub 2017 Feb 2.

Faculty of Psychology, University of Murcia, Spain.

Introduction: Chronic scratching is common to many skin disorders. Being a female and presenting a high level of psychopathology are risk factors for chronic scratching. Yet, it is unclear why. Read More

Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 2017 Jan;37(1):30-35

State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine Co-Founded by Chongqing and the Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Minimally-invasive and Noninvasive Medicine; Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 40016, China.E-mail:

Objective: To establish a SD rat model of vulvar lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) and investigate the expression of protease activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in the genital skin.

Methods: Seventy female SD rats were randomly divided into group A (blank control group, n=10), group B (with application of acetone solution 3 times per week for 10 weeks, n=10), group C (with chronic mechanical irritation 3 times per week for 10 weeks, n=10), and group D (with topical treatment with 0.5= 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene [DMBA] in acetone solution and chronic mechanical irritation 3 times per week for 10 weeks, n=40). Read More

Semin Diagn Pathol 2017 May 14;34(3):220-225. Epub 2016 Dec 14.

Division of Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology, University of Virginia Health System, Room 3020, University of Virginia Hospital, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0214, United States. Electronic address:

Psoriasis vulgaris (PV)-the prototypical "psoriasiform" dermatitis-may assume a spectrum of histologic appearances, depending on whether it has been treated or not. Because of that relative lack of morphological uniformity, other skin disorders that feature epidermal acanthosis, with or without associated inflammation, may be confused diagnostically with PV. This brief review considers the clinicopathologic attributes of PV and its imitators, including chronic spongiotic dermatitides, lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, psoriasiform secondary syphilis, and Reiter syndrome. Read More

Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst 2016 ;33(3):213-263

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic skin inflammatory disorder characterized by perivascular infiltration of immunoglobulin E (IgE), T lymphocytes, and mast cells. The key factors responsible for the pathophysiology of this disease are immunological disorders and defects in epidermal barrier properties. Pruritus, intense itching, psychological stress, deprived physical and mental performance, and sleep disturbance are the hallmark features of this dermatological disorder. Read More

Mod Pathol 2017 Mar 11;30(3):448-458. Epub 2016 Nov 11.

Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Human papillomavirus-negative keratinizing vulvar cancers typically harbor TP53 mutations as do their precursors, differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. However, atypical verruciform proliferations are also associated with these malignancies and their pathogenesis is poorly understood. This study compared 11 atypical verruciform lesions, including atypical verruciform hyperplasia, vulvar acanthosis with altered differentiation, and verruciform lichen simplex chronicus, with 14 human papillomavirus-negative keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas. Read More

J Dermatolog Treat 2017 Jun 24;28(4):342-346. Epub 2016 Oct 24.

b Department of Dermatology, Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive features frequently visit dermatologists for complaints of the skin, hair or nails, and often progress towards a chronic relapsing course due to the challenge associated with accurate diagnosis and management of their psychiatric symptoms. The current DSM-5 formally recognizes body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, neurotic excoriation and body focused repetitive behavior disorder as psychodermatological disorders belonging to the category of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. However there is evidence that other relevant skin diseases such as delusions of parasitosis, dermatitis artefacta, contamination dermatitis, AIDS phobia, trichotemnomania and even lichen simplex chronicus possess prominent obsessive-compulsive characteristics that do not necessarily fit the full diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2016 Nov;38(11):e150-e153

*Department of Pathology, Penn State College of Medicine, The Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA; †Penn State College of Medicine, The Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA; and ‡Department of Dermatology, Penn State College of Medicine, The Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.

Tick bites can cause a number of local inflammatory reactions, which are often difficult to differentiate from those induced by other arthropod bites or stings. These include erythematous nodular or pustular lesions, erosive plaques, annular lesions of erythema chronicum migrans, and both scarring and nonscarring inflammatory alopecia. We report a case of nonscarring alopecia in a 21-year-old male who reported a recent history of tick bite to the scalp. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2016 Jul-Aug;91(4):549-51

Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima (ILSL) - Bauru (SP), Brazil.

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted from May to November/2014, in a dermatology reference unit, through review of medical records and interviews. In a sample of 49 patients with brachioradial pruritus, we observed higher prevalence of Caucasian (81.6%) and women (73. Read More

Int J Gynecol Pathol 2016 Aug 10. Epub 2016 Aug 10.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (M.B.P., M.A.S.) Department of Pathology, Floyd Memorial Hospital, New Albany, Indiana (M.M.) Department of Cellular Pathology, Barts and the London NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom (N.S.) Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (C.B.G.).

Differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), precursor of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma, is human papilloma virus independent and often found in a background of lichen sclerosus (LS) and lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). Subtle histologic findings make the diagnosis of dVIN difficult, and, although the use of p53 and Ki-67 has been of some value, there is a need for a better immunohistochemical marker. Cytokeratin 17 (CK17), a cytoskeletal intermediate filament protein, has previously been used in the diagnosis of anogenital lesions. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2016 Dec 26;75(6):1245-1250. Epub 2016 Jul 26.

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.

Onychotillomania is an uncommon and likely underreported condition in which patients repetitively manipulate the different constituents of the nail unit. Onychotillomania is characterized by a range of nonspecific findings, including bizarre morphology of the nail plate and damage to the nail bed and periungual skin. Histopathological changes are also nonspecific, but may be viewed as analogous to lichen simplex chronicus and prurigo nodularis of the skin. Read More

Allergy 2016 Oct 3;71(10):1480-5. Epub 2016 Aug 3.

Departments of Dermatology, Preventive Medicine and Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background: The lack of standardized nomenclature for atopic dermatitis (AD) creates unnecessary confusion for patients, healthcare providers, and researchers. It also negatively impacts accurate communication of research in the scientific literature. We sought to determine the most commonly used terms for AD. Read More

Dermatol Pract Concept 2016 Apr 30;6(2):9-15. Epub 2016 Apr 30.

Department of Dermatology, S. Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.

Background: Hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) classically involves shin and ankles and is characterized by hyperkeratotic plaques and nodules. Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic neurodermatitis that presents with intensely pruritic nodules. Histopathology of HLP and PN demonstrate epidermal hyperplasia, hypergranulosis, and compact hyperkeratosis. Read More

Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2016 Jun;59(6):777-82

Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.

Some food additives may trigger pseudoallergenic reactions. However, the prevalence of such an overreaction is - despite the increasing number of food additives - rather low in the general population. The most common triggers of pseudoallergic reactions to food are naturally occurring ingredients. Read More

Dermatitis 2016 May-Jun;27(3):127-30

From the *Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital; †2nd Department of Psychiatry, Attikon University Hospital; and ‡2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Attikon General University Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Background: Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) and chronic hand eczema (CHE) are 2 common dermatological disorders that affect physical, social, and psychological aspects of life. The aim of this study was to compare quality of life and obsessive-compulsive tendencies between patients with LSC and patients with CHE.

Materials And Methods: Sixty patients with LSC, 60 patients with CHE, and 60 healthy controls were included in the study. Read More

Med Monatsschr Pharm 2016 Mar;39(3):97-9

The allergic rhinitis is the most common immune disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 24% and one of the most common chronic diseases at all--with tendency to rise. It occurs in childhood and influences the patients' social life, school performance and labour productivity. Furthermore the allergic rhinitis is accompanied by a lot of comorbidities, including conjunctivitis, asthma bronchiale, food allergy, neurodermatitis and sinusitis. Read More

Am J Pathol 2016 May;186(5):1140-50

Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address:

Despite similar components, the heterogeneity of skin characteristics across the human body is enormous. It is classically believed that site-specific fibroblasts in the dermis control postnatal skin identity by modulating the behavior of the surface-overlying keratinocytes in the epidermis. To begin testing this hypothesis, we characterized the gene expression differences between volar (ventral; palmoplantar) and nonvolar (dorsal) human skin. Read More

MMW Fortschr Med 2016 Mar;158(6):24-5

J Low Genit Tract Dis 2016 Jul;20(3):e38-9

1Carver College of Medicine and 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2015 Dec;35(12):1247-8

Chin Med 2016 2;11. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, China.

Background: Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae) (Niu jiao gua) has been used as a poultice in Chinese medicine for treating inflammatory skin diseases, e.g., neurodermatitis. Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2016 May 29;74(5):289-94. Epub 2016 Feb 29.

Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche - Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.

Background: Topical remedies based on botanical ingredients are popular.

Objectives: To assess: (i) the usage of botanical substances in subjects affected with itching and chronic vulvar complaints; (ii) the incidence of side-effects associated with their use and the frequency of contact allergy; (iii) the diagnostic usefulness of patch testing.

Methods: Sixty-six patients were provided with a questionnaire to assess the prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used and the occurrence of adverse reactions. Read More

Health Qual Life Outcomes 2016 Feb 3;14:17. Epub 2016 Feb 3.

Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710004, People's Republic of China.

Background: The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is the most widely used measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with skin disease. Recently, the psychometric properties of the DLQI have caused some controversy because the instrument appears not to meet the requirements of modern test theory. The purpose of this study was to assess whether these psychometric issues also occur in Chinese patients with neurodermatitis. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2016 Jan-Feb;34(1):3-7. Epub 2015 Nov 17.

Domestic and Specialized Medicine Centre "Dilmed", ul. Bohaterów Monte Cassino 3, 40-231 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address:

For many years, the biblical term tzaraat has referred to leprosy. In fact, the disease or diseases described under this name have no relationship to leprosy, as it was known in the Middle Ages or today; moreover, the term referred not only to skin disease, but also to the state of the ritual impurity and punishment for the sins. Although the real nature of tzaraat remains unknown, the differential diagnosis might include the following: Psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, favus, dermatophyte infections, nummular dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis rosea, crusted scabies, syphilis, impetigo, sycosis barbae, alopecia areata, furuncles, scabies, neurodermatitis, scarlet fever, lupus erythematosus, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, folliculitis decalvans, morphea, sarcoidosis, and lichen planopilaris. Read More

J R Army Med Corps 2017 Feb 8;163(1):27-30. Epub 2016 Jan 8.

Department of Dermatology, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, China.

Objectives: Skin disease is one of the major components of health problems for soldiers either during war or peacetime. Despite increased numbers and scale of military missions, dermatological survey is limited. The aim of this study was to outline the dermatological profile in international peacekeepers in Lebanon and to explore the features of disease pattern. Read More

Arch Dermatol Res 2016 Mar 8;308(2):133-7. Epub 2016 Jan 8.

Department of Dermatology, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.

The serine protease inhibitor of Kazal-type (SPINK) 9 was reported to be exclusively expressed in palmoplantar skin. SPINK9 is a specific inhibitor of the serine protease kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5), which contributes to the desquamation process of the stratum corneum. Herein, we demonstrated that SPINK9 is also expressed in lichen simplex chronicus. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2016 Jan;38(1):1-16; quiz 17-9

Consultant Hisopathologist, Department of Cellular Pathology, Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, Spain.

In this report, we review the most common entities that show a epidermal hyperplastic pattern in the biopsy. These entities include inflammatory, reactive, infectious, hamartomatous, and tumoral conditions, each with a very different prognosis. Therefore, an approach based on the classic "patterns and clues" tools used in dermatopathology can bring a lot of information to the dermatopathologist or the general pathologist evaluating these lesions. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2015 ;23(4):277-81

Assoc. Prof. Muhterem Polat, MD, Gazi University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Ankara, Turkey;

The geriatric population is continuously growing, which leads to more aged patients being admitted to dermatology clinics. The aim of this study is to determine the dermatological complaints of the elderly attending a dermatology outpatient clinic. All of the patients aged 65 years and older admitted to our dermatology outpatient clinic over a 1-year period were included. Read More

Eur J Dermatol 2016 Jan-Feb;26(1):21-7

PEDEGO Research Center, Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Department of Dermatology and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, FIN-90220, Oulu, Finland.

Background: Glucocorticoids (GC) are the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs in dermatology. The actions of GCs are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Alternative splicing of GR mRNA gives rise to different isoforms, GRα and GRβ being the most important. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2015 Dec 18;15:173. Epub 2015 Dec 18.

Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Background: Thalidomide has been reported to cause numerous thromboembolic events. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are more common. It can also cause bradycardia and even total atrioventricular block. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2015 Dec;37(12):e143-6

*Department of Dermatology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX; †Department of Dermatology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD; and ‡Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.

Multinucleated keratinocytes (also known as multinucleated epidermal giant cells) are a frequently overlooked histological finding in noninfectious inflammatory dermatoses. They are sometimes found in conditions characterized by chronic rubbing and pruritus, such as lichen simplex chronicus or prurigo nodularis, and may be a helpful clue in making the clinical diagnosis. This finding must be differentiated from other conditions characterized by multinucleated keratinocytes on histopathology, specifically herpes simplex, varicella zoster, or measles viral infections. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2015 Nov-Dec;81(6):620-2

Department of Dermatology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Mo Med 2015 Jul-Aug;112(4):301-7

The purpose of this article is to review six important inflammatory dermatoses of the vulva and to update readers on the new advancements in treatment of these mucosal conditions. Psoriasis, lichen sclerosis, lichen simplex chronicus and lichen planus are common vulvar conditions that cause pruritis and/or pain. PIasma cell vulvitis and desquamative inflammatory vaginitis are rare and challenging to be recognized, which often remain undiagnosed. Read More

Kinderkrankenschwester 2015 May;34(5):200

Clin Obstet Gynecol 2015 Sep;58(3):464-75

*Stanford University School of Medicine †Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Redwood City, California ‡Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California.

Inflammatory vulvar dermatoses affect many women, but are likely underdiagnosed due to embarrassment and reluctance to visit a health care provider. Although itch and pain are common presenting symptoms, the physical examination can help distinguish between different disease entities. Because many women's health providers have minimal training in the categorization and management of dermatologic disease, definitive diagnosis and management can be difficult. Read More

Sex Med Rev 2015 Jul 8;3(3):126-136. Epub 2015 Oct 8.

Center for Pelvic Medicine, Academic Urology, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA.

Introduction: Vulvar dermatoses are common dermatological conditions that affect the vulva, and can cause considerable pain, irritation, pruritus, and burning, and have an adverse impact on a woman's sexual function.

Aim: To provide an overview of the clinical features, etiology, and management options for the common vulvar dermatoses, including lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, lichen simplex, contact dermatitis, and vulvar psoriasis, and briefly describe the impact of vulvar dermatoses on sexual function.

Methods: The key words "vulvar dermatoses," "lichen sclerosus," "lichen planus," "lichen simplex chronicus," "vulvar dermatitis," and "vulvar psoriasis," were utilized to search Medline and PubMed for articles, with special attention given to those published within the past 5 years. Read More

J Altern Complement Med 2015 Sep 26;21(9):520-9. Epub 2015 Jun 26.

Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis , Sacramento, CA.

Objectives: Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been used to treat a broad range of medical conditions, including dermatologic disorders. This systematic review aims to synthesize the evidence on the use of acupuncture as a primary treatment modality for dermatologic conditions.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register was performed. Read More

Georgian Med News 2015 Jun(243):70-5

Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Georgia; P.L. Shupik National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kiev, Ukraine; Batumi Seamen's Medical Center, Georgia.

The aim of our study was to find out the magnitude of anxiety and depression in our common dermatological patients and its correlation with age, sex. For this purpose, we used Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS. The psychometric validity of HADS has been established by validating the questionnaire against the structured psychiatric interviews. Read More

PLoS One 2015 15;10(6):e0128869. Epub 2015 Jun 15.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Background: An association between lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) and sexual dysfunction was explored. However, no data are available from investigations into the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and LSC.

Objectives: This retrospective population-based cohort study aimed to clarify the risk of ED associated with LSC. Read More

Dis Mon 2015 Aug;61(8):297-307